Heathrow to Limehouse
May 17th, 2013 | 11:37 AM
#21
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 4,464
Likes: 0
Diane:
Please excuse me for being very frank about this area, but I think I must. It is shite!
When I lived at New Providence Wharf in docklands, I often took the bus through the area to get to work (Route 15, as Janis recommends). I also explored the areas off Commercial Road (North side), when I was thinking of renting an apartment on the river.
The area is overwhelmingly ultra-conservative Bangladeshi (burkas and beards), working class (except for the river-view complexes), run-down and very depressing.
Given he has only two days, I suggest you encourage him to ignore exploring the area, as there is bugger all of interest to the tourist, and hop on the 15 to Trafalgar Square and enjoy London.
Regards Ger
Please excuse me for being very frank about this area, but I think I must. It is shite!
When I lived at New Providence Wharf in docklands, I often took the bus through the area to get to work (Route 15, as Janis recommends). I also explored the areas off Commercial Road (North side), when I was thinking of renting an apartment on the river.
The area is overwhelmingly ultra-conservative Bangladeshi (burkas and beards), working class (except for the river-view complexes), run-down and very depressing.
Given he has only two days, I suggest you encourage him to ignore exploring the area, as there is bugger all of interest to the tourist, and hop on the 15 to Trafalgar Square and enjoy London.
Regards Ger
May 17th, 2013 | 03:46 PM
#22
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 75,049
Likes: 50
Here is my description of riding the #15 through that neighborhood (copied from a very long trip report):
>><i>I didn't have my AtoZ or a proper map w/ me but knew after Limehouse the river would swing quite a ways south and I could take the DLR back. Instead I walked north to the Commercial Row and found a bus stop that listed the much appreciated #15 . . . So not knowing exactly what I'd do next I jumped on and headed west back towards the city. I rode the 15 for nearly 45 minutes and it was amazing how the riders changed as we wended our way west. When I got on almost all the passengers were muslim. Mainly women completely covered. Then several blocks west they started getting off and most new comers were Afro/Caribbean. Then slowly the bus became almost totally South Asian. It was really fascinating - we went through most of the British Empire in a few miles. By the time the bus got to Tower Hill it was a complete mixed melting pot . . . .</i><<
And it really will be quite a long trek to get anywhere . . .
>><i>I didn't have my AtoZ or a proper map w/ me but knew after Limehouse the river would swing quite a ways south and I could take the DLR back. Instead I walked north to the Commercial Row and found a bus stop that listed the much appreciated #15 . . . So not knowing exactly what I'd do next I jumped on and headed west back towards the city. I rode the 15 for nearly 45 minutes and it was amazing how the riders changed as we wended our way west. When I got on almost all the passengers were muslim. Mainly women completely covered. Then several blocks west they started getting off and most new comers were Afro/Caribbean. Then slowly the bus became almost totally South Asian. It was really fascinating - we went through most of the British Empire in a few miles. By the time the bus got to Tower Hill it was a complete mixed melting pot . . . .</i><<
And it really will be quite a long trek to get anywhere . . .
May 17th, 2013 | 09:03 PM
#24
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 21,270
Likes: 0
It is, shall we say, an area with a rich social history, just not somewhere ideal for first-time visitors. But it isn't the end of the world, a sink of iniquity or a total loss.
Taking up one of the OP's initial concerns, cost of travel isn't an issue, since it's in zone 2; nor is it the outer darkness in terms of commuting time. The DLR to Bank/Monument is pretty reliable, though changing there is a bit of an inconvenience if you're not used to it (I wouldn't use the 15 bus for everything, just as a way to see something while sitting down).
It's just that bit far out for it not to be practicable to think of dropping back into the flat during the day if you've forgotten something or feel like a short nap; nor can they expect a choice of chic shops and restaurants within a few steps. They'd have to become commuters, like most of us who live here.
Taking up one of the OP's initial concerns, cost of travel isn't an issue, since it's in zone 2; nor is it the outer darkness in terms of commuting time. The DLR to Bank/Monument is pretty reliable, though changing there is a bit of an inconvenience if you're not used to it (I wouldn't use the 15 bus for everything, just as a way to see something while sitting down).
It's just that bit far out for it not to be practicable to think of dropping back into the flat during the day if you've forgotten something or feel like a short nap; nor can they expect a choice of chic shops and restaurants within a few steps. They'd have to become commuters, like most of us who live here.
